Lettuce packing machine



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ALTTUCE PACKING MACHINE Original Filed March l5, 1952v 4 Sheetsf-Sheet l uw. .Y M.. a7

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LETTUCE PACKING 'MACHINE Original Filed March 15, 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Z8 Srwentor Jaw/V WO' /WAES (lttorneg Sept. 17. 1940. J. w. DE MARS 2,215,094

y LETTUCE PACKING MACHINE Original Filed March 15, 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 :Summer 26,/ JOHN 7% @1F/M496 rtorncg Sept. 17. i940.

J. w. DE MARS LETTUCE PACKING MACHINE Original Filed March l5. .1932 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 MOH/*V W @f/ 6@ @www Patented Sept. 17, 1940 PATENT OFFICE LE'r'l'UcE PACKING MACHINE John W. De Mars, Salinas, Calif., assignor, by

mesne assignments, to Paterson Pacific Parchment Company, San Francisco, Calif., a corporation of California Reiiled for abandoned application Serial No. 598,980, March 15, 1932. This application September 3, 1933, Serial No, 228,456

13 Claims.

This application is reled for abandoned application Serial No. 598,980, filed March 15, 1932.

My invention relates to lettuce packing machines, and the objects of my invention are: First, to provide a machine of this class which quickly compresses a layer of lettuce to a predetermined size and inserts the layer into a crate;

Second, to provide a machine of this class which reduces to a minimum injury or wastage of the lettuce;

Third, to provide a machine of this class which compresses each layer of lettuce as it is positioned so\ that the uppermost layer of lettuce is not excessively compressed during or by reason of the lidding operation;A

Fourth, to provide a machine of this class which incorporates a novelly constructed lettuce receiving frame which allows the lettuce to be initially packed therein in a relatively loose condition;

Fifth, to provide a machine of thisy class in which the lettuce receiving frame includes a gate member along one of its sides wherebyvthe lettuce may bepacked therein from the side as well as from the top; thus enabling the lettuce receiving frame to be filled in a minimum amount of time;

Sixth, to provide a machine of this class which is so arranged that crushed ice or other refrigerant may be placed between and around the layers of lettuce, and I Seventh, to provide on the Whole a novelly constructed lettuce packing machine which is particularly durable and sturdyof construction, being capable of withstanding rough usage without deteriorating or getting out of order.

With these and .other objects in view as will appear hereinafter, my invention consists of certain novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts andl portions as will be hereinafter described in detail and particularly .set forth in the appended claims, reference being had to theac'companying drawings and to the charactersvof reference thereon which form a part of this application, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of my lettuce packing machine with parts and portions broken away or removed toy facilitate the illustration; Fig. 2 is a sectional' view thereof substantially through 2-2 of Fig. 1, with thelettuce packing frame shown in 'position and with the side and end engaging members holding said frame in its contracted condition; Fig. 3 is a sectional view through 3-3nof Fig. 2 with the packing frame supporting plates removed and the crate and Fig. 4 is a sectional view through 4-4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the lettuce packing frame.

Similar characters of reference refer to similar parts and portions throughout the several views of the drawings.

Framework I, shelf 2, tray 3, upper marginal rollers 4, lower marginal rollers 5, tray end supporting means 6, lettuce packing frame or box l, fixed side plate 8, movable side plate' 9, supporting bracketl I0, operating rods I I, cross head I2, piston rod I3, piston I4, cylinder I5, release springs I6, fixed end plate Il, movable end plate I8, supporting bracket I9, connecting means 20, cross head 2|, piston rod 22, piston 23, cylinder 24, release springs 25, crate supporting frame 26, piston rod 2l, piston 28, cylinder 29, return springs 130, ejector member 3|, guide posts 32, braces 33, piston rod 34, piston 35, cylinder 35. and return springs 31, constitute the principal parts and portions of my lettuce packing machine.

A framework I is provided which includes four uprights la arranged in the corners of the machine and various cross members for supporting the various elements thereof. Extending laterally outwardly from a pairof uprights I a is a shelf 2 including side members 2a upon which are mounted -suitable bearings 2b adapted to support rollers 2c.

The shelf v2 is adapted to slidably support a tray 3. The tray 3 is adapted to pass between the uprights arrayed at the end of the shelf 2 and into the rectangular space delineated by the four uprights of the machine. The tray may be somewhat longer than this area so that one end thereof remains upon the shelf 2 which end may be provided'with a suitable handle`3a for the purpose of shifting the tray. In order to keep the space within the framework I as unimpeded as possible, the tray 3 when extended into the 'frameworkis supported from one margin only thereof. This margin is provided withA an upturned edge 3b. Upper marginal rollers 4 which are supported from a cross member Ib of the framework engage the tray at its upper side adjacent the upturned edge 3b. Lower marginal rollers 5 supported from another cross member Ic of the framework I engage the under x'side of the tray a short distance inwardly from the rollers 4. When the tray is in its position within the framework its extended end may be supported by rollers or other suitable means 6.

Cil

The tray 3 is adapted to receive a lettuce packing frame or box 1, which is illustrated in Fig. 5. The box 1 is extensible and contractible. To this end, there is provided an L-shaped side and end forming member 1a. Guide members 1b are provided along the upper and lower margins of the side and end forming member la, at the extremity of each leg thereof. The guides 1b provided on the leg forming a side of the box l are adapted to receive and slidably support a leg 1c of an end forming member 1d. The leg 1c is preferably integral with the end forming member 'Id and disposed at right angles therewith at an extremity thereof. The remaining extremity of the end member 1d is provided at its upper and lower margins with guides le similar to theguides 1b. The guides le slidably receive a sliding plate 1f. A similar sliding plate 1f is slidably mounted between the guides of the end forming leg of the member la. 'Ihe outer lower corners of the sliding plate 1f are provided with small loops 1g. The loops 1g journal pins provided at the lower corners of a gate member 'Ig'. The gate member 77 comprises a main portion 1k having guides 'lm similar to guides 'lb which slidably receive an extensible portion 1n. The gate 17' is held in its vertical position adjacent the sliding plates 1f by catch members 1p. The sliding plates 1f, leg portion 1c, and extensible portion in are provided with suitable stops at their inner extremities l so as to limit their outward movement with respect to the guides in which they fit. When the various shiftable members are in their extended positions, they occupy the positions shown in Fig. 5, by solid lines. By pressing inwardly on the sides and ends of the lettuce packing box, the side formed by the gate 17 and the end formed by the end member 1d of the box are shifted to the dotted line position shown in Fig. 5. s

The lettuce packing frame 'I is shifted with the tray 3 into the framework I between a fixed side plate 8 and a movable sideplate 9 opposite to plate 8. These plates, together with movable plate I8 and an opposite fixed plate I1, presently described in detail, provide a frame for compressing the layer of lettuce placed between the several plates.

To support the lettuce packing frame and permit tray 3 to be removed, sideplates 8 and 9 are provided with inturned portions 8a. and 9a,

respectively, which are adapted to fit under the edges of the member 1a and gate member 17' forming the sides of the lettuce packing frame or box 1. To facilitate this the tray 3 is pro-4 vided with longitudinally extending cleats or spacing members 3c which space the lower margins of the box 'l from the body of the tray 3.

`The upper portionof the fixed side plate 8 is offset outwardly, that is, towards the uprights Ia forming the corners of the corresponding side of the framework, so as to form a supporting por- A tion 8b extending between and secured to the aforementioned uprights. The upper portion of the movable side plate 9 is provided with upwardly directed arms 9b, the upper extremities of which are provided with rollers 9c. The arms 9b extendu through slots Ia provided in a supporting bracket I0 secured between uprights Ia forming the corners of thecorresponding side of the framework. The slots 0a are disposed horizontally and extend inwardly from said side. The rollers 9c are adapted to move along the upper side of, the supporting brackets I0 adjacent the slots la. Extending horizontallyfrom the movable 4side plate 9 through the supporting `portion 8b adjacent the extremities thereof are a. pair of operating rods II. framework I and are connected together by a cross head I2. The central portion of the cross head I2 is joined to a piston rod I3 which extends towards the framework and is provided with a suitable piston I4 which is slidable in a cylinder I5. The cylinder I5 is secured to the supporting portion 8b of the fixed side plate 8. Springs I6 extend between the supporting portion 8b of the lxed side plate 8 and the cross head I2. The springs I6 tend to draw the cross head I2 towards the framework and thereby shift the movable plate 9 away from the fixed plate 8. Operation of the cylinder causes the reverse movement.

The leg forming the end portion of the member 1a. 'and the movable end member 1d are adapted to be engaged by a fixed end plate I1 and a movable end plate I8, respectively. 'I'he fixed end plate I1 is provided with an offset supporting portion IIal at its upper extremity which is joined to the uprights Ia forming the corners at the corresponding side of the framework.

The movable end plate I8 is provided with upwardly directed arms Ia which extend through slots Isa provided in a supporting bracket I9 extending between uprights marking the corners ofthe corresponding side of the framework. The upper extremities of the arms I8a are provided with suitable rollers I8b which ride upon the supporting bracket I9. The upper portion of the movable end plate I8 may be offset so as to clear the adjacent operating rod I I associated with the movable side plate 9.

The movable end plate I8 not only moves bodily in a horizontal direction but also pivots about The rods II extend beyond the' the axis of the rollers Ib so that the under side f of the movable end plate I8 may be raised above the lettuce packing box l, as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 2. In order to provide this movement the upper corners of the movable end plate I8 are provided with bracket bearings I8c which are joined to the one end of a pair of link members a which form elements of connecting means 20. The link members 20a, extend along the inside of the supporting portion 8b of the fixed side plate 8 and along the outer side of the movable plate 9. The extremities of the link members 20a are pivotally connected to axially slidable connecting rods 20h which are guided by suitable sleeves or the like provided in the supporting portion Ila of the fixed end plate I1. 'I'he connecting rods 20h extend outwardly from the framework and their remaining ends are joined to a cross head 2I which is connected intermediate its ends to a piston rod 22. The piston rod 22 in turn is connected to a piston 23 which is slidable within a cylinder 24. secured to the supporting portion I'Ia of the fixed end plate I 1. Springs 25 extend between the supporting portion Ila of the fixed end plate and the cross head 2|. These springs tend to hold the piston 23 in its inner position and the movable end plate I8 in its dotted line position shown in Fig. 2. e

Below the side engaging plates and end engaging plates, and arranged in a substantially centered relation with the rectangular area delineated thereby, is a crate supporting frame 26. The

crate supporting frame 28 may be provided with 'I'he cylinder 24 is i tering the crate. The crate supporting framev "26 75 may form a link in a roller conveyor mechanism,

the supporting frame 26 and removed therefrom.

when filled. The crate supporting frame 26 is vertically'movable and is therefore mounted on a vertically disposed piston rod 21 which ,is joined to a piston 28 mounted in a vertically/disposed cylindery 29 which may-rest upon the floor upon which the framework I is mounted. Springs 30 ,extending between the floor and the supporting iframe 26 yieldably hold the supporting frame in its lower position in alignment with the roller conveyor mechanism A, as shown in Fig.V 2. The crate C may be centered longitudinally upon the supporting frame by means of a suitable stop 26c which is shiftable clear of the crate so as to permit the crate to be removed from the supporting frame. Action of the piston and cylinder raises thel crate supporting frame 26 until the ends and sides of the crate fit over the end plates and side plates, respectively, as shown in Fig. 3, the tray 3 being removed for this operation.

Mounted within the area delineated by the side plates and end plates and normally disposed adjacent or above the upper margins thereof is an ejector member 3|. The ejector member 3| is in the form of a rectangular frame which may be curved longitudinally if desired. The margins of the ejector member flt loosely within but adjacent the side and end members. At the extremities'of one side, the ejector member is provided with a pair of vertically disposed upwardly extending guide posts 432 which are mounted in suitable bearings Id provided in cross members Ie and If. 'I'he extremities of the remaining side of the ejector member may be joined to the guide posts 32 by suitable brackets or braces 33. The side of the ejector member which is joined to the guide posts 32 is also joined at its central portion to a piston rod 34 which is connected at its upper extremity to a piston 35 slidably mounted in a cylinder 36. The cylinder 36 is disposed in a vertical position and secured to the cross member If. Return springs 31 extend between the ejector member 3| and the cross frame If. 'Ifhe springs' 31 yieldably hold the ejector in its upper position, shown in Figs. 1 and 2. 'I'he piston and cylinder operate to shift the ejector member to the position shown in Fig. 3.

Operation of the machine is as follows: 'I'he packing frames cr boxes 1 are filled with a layer of lettuce and then conveyed to the shelf 2. 'I'he packing frame with a layer of lettuce therein is placed on the tray 3 and the tray is shifted within the framework the packing frame passing underneath the end and engaging plate I8. This is done when the side engaging plate 8 is farthest from the side engaging plate 8 and the ejector 3| is in its elevated position. After the tray4 with lettuce packing frame thereof has been positioned between the Y side and end engaging plates providing the lettuce compressing frame, the pistons I4 and 23 are actuated' so as to draw the plates to the position shown in Figs. 2 and 3, causing the inturned portions 8a and 9a of the side engaging plates to fit underneath the sid oi' the lettuce-packing frame so as tosupport the same. The tray 3 is then withdrawn and the kpiston 28 actuated. This raises the crate' supporting frame 2-6, a crate having first been po- .sitioned thereon. The crate C is slightly larger than the rectangular space dened by the side and end engaging plates so that the side walls of the crate may pass on the outer sides of said. plates and thereby occupy the position shown in the form of a rectangular frame open at its central postion allows crushed ice to be fed down through a suitable hopper H, indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 3, thus enabling a layer of ice to be placed between the layers of lettuce. After` the lettuce has been ejected from the packing frame the tray 3 is reinserted thereunder and the side and end engaging plates are released, whereupon the empty frame and tray are shifted upon the shelf` 2, whereupon the frame is placed on a\ Ieturn conveyor, not shown, which carries the pa klng frame tothe point at which it received another layer of lettuce.

Though I have shown and described a particular construction, combination and arrangements of parts and portions, Ido not wish to be limited to this particular construction, combination and arrangement, but desire to include in the scope of my invention the construction, combination and arrangement substantially as set forth in the appended claims.

I -Iavingmthus described claim as new and desire P atent is:

l: In a lettuce packing machine, means for posltioning a crate, a rectangular frame including a fixed side, a iixed end, a movable side, a movable end shiftable in right angular relation with said fixed side and said Iixed end respectively, whereby said frame may be contracted or enlarged, and stop means for limiting further collapsmg movement when said packing frame confines a predetermined area less than the free cross-sectional area of a positioned crate, fixed engaging means arranged to coact with two sides of said packing frame, movable engaging means my invention, -what I to secure by Letters varranged to coact with the other two sides of said packing frame for contracting said packing frame to a size determined byisaid stop means, said positioning means placing said crate in receptive relation with respect to said packing frame wherein said crate surrounds said frame and said frame is partially within a positioned crate, and an ejector for forcing said layer of lettuce from said packing frame into said crate.

2. In a lettucepacking machine, a rectangular frame including a fixed side, a fixed end, a movable side, a movable end shiftable in right angular relation with said fixed side and said fixed end respectively, whereby said frame may be so contracted or enlarged, and stop means for limiting further collapsing movement when said assembled into a package of predetermined shape and size, means for compressing said articles into a package of less than said predetermined size and temporarily retaining said articles in Vpackage form in said state of compression, means for positioning a crate about at least a portion of said compressing means, and a reciprocable plunger for forcing said package, while compressed in said compressing means, into said crate wherein said package can expand.

i 4. In a machine of the character described, means for delivering a group of articles loosely assembled into a package of a predetermined shape, means for compressing said articles and temporarily retaining said articles in package form in a state of compression, means for positioning a crate beneath said compressing means, a vertically reciprocable'plunger foriorcing said package, while compressed in said compressing means, down into said crate, said compressing means including a plurality of cooperating planar members which vare positioned vertically and within the projected confines of the crate beneath said compressing means to provideA a chute for said package at least :lust prior to operation of said plunger and means for moving a positioned crate relative to said planar members to position said members within said crate and enable said compressing means to discharge said compressed package directly into said positioned crate.

5. In a machine of the character described, means for delivering a group of articles loosely assembled into a package oi' a .predetermined shape, means for compressing said articles and temporarily retaining said articles in package form in a state of compression, means for positioning a crate beneath said compressing means,

a vertically reciprocable plunger for forcing said.

package, while compressed in said compressing means, down into said crate, said compressing means including a plurality of cooperating planar members, means for moving said planar members into a position in which said members are positioned vertically and within the projected confines of the crate beneath said compressing means to provide a chute for said package at least justv prior to operation of said plunger and means for moving a positioned crate relative to said planar members to position said members within said crate and enable said compressing means to discharge said compressed package directly into said positioned crate. v

6. In a machine oi the character described, means for delivering a group of articles loosely assembled into a package of a predetermined shape, means for compressing said articles and temporarily retaining said articles in package form in a state of compression, means for positioning a crate beneath said compressing rrieans,

a vertically reciprocable plunger for forcing said package, while .compressed insaid compressing means, down into said crate, said compressing means including a plurality of cooperating planar members which are positioned vertically* and within the projected confines of the crate beneath said compressing means to provide a chutev for said package at least just prior to operation of said plunger, meansfor discharging crushed ice through said compressing means onto said package in said crate and means for moving a positioned crate relative to said planar members to position said members within said crate and enable said compressing means to dischargel said compressed package directly into said positioned crate.

7,'In a machine of the character described, means for positioning av crate in a package Areceiving position, package forming andlfdelivery means spaced vertically above a positioned crate for forming a plurality of articles into a compressed package wherein said articles are positively compressed and reduced in size from a loose package of larger cross sectional area than said crate to an area of a size less than that of said crate, said package formingv and delivery means being movable intoA a vertical position wherein`\ said means provides a chute for said compressed articles extending into said posi-` tioned crate, and a reciprocating ram for moving a compressed package out of said forming means directly into said crate wherein said package can expand.

8. In a machine of the character described, means for positioning a crate in a package receiving position, package forming 'and delivery means spaced vertically above a positioned crate for forming a plurality of articles intor a compressed package, a reciprocating ram for moving a compressed package out of said forming means and into said crate and .means for discharging ice through said ram onto said package in said crate.

9. In a machine'of the character described, means for positioning a crate in a package receiving position, package forming and delivery means spaced vertically above a positioned crate for forming a plurality of articles into a compressed package, said'forming means including a plurality of planar members movable into a vertical position in which each member is substantially parallel to a wall of said crate, means for moving a positioned crate relativevtc said walls to position said walls within said crate, and a reciprocating ram for moving a compressed package out of said forming means and into said crate.

10. In a machine of the character described,

an article packing frame including a plurality of movable members, means for moving said members to contract said frame and compressl articles placed in layer form within the connes of said frame, means for moving a. crate to surround said frame partially at least to receive articles assembled and compressed by said frame, andV an ejector for forcing said ycompressed layer into said crate.

11. In a, machine of the character described, an article compressing frame including aplurality of movable members, means for depositing within the coniines of said frame a preformed layer made up of a plurality of rows of said articles, means for moving said members to contract said frame and compress articles' placed in layer form within the connes of said frame,

means for positioning a crate to receive articles e articles are disposed in a single layer, means for positioning said crate relative to said compressing means to receive said compressed article in said mass form, said compressing means including a plurality oi' planar members vertically arranged and movable relative to each other horizontally to compress and to engage said mass and to provide a chute extending into a positioned crate to deposit said mass in said crate and means for forcing said -mass in said layer form through said chute and into said positioned crate wherein said mass is `disposed in single layer form.

13. In a machine of the character described, means for supporting a crate, means for delivering a plurality of articles in single layer form and .in a loosely compacted condition corresponding roughly in outline to that of said crate. means for compressing said plurality of delivered articles while retaining said outlineinto a mass of a size less than that of said crate, and wherein saidarticles are disposed in a single layer, means for positioning said crate relative to said compressing means to receive said compressed article in said mass form, said compressing means including a plurality of planar members vertically arranged and-movable relative to each other horizontally to compress and to engage said mass and to provide a chute for said mass, means for forcing said mass in said layer form through said chute and into said positioned crate wherein said mass is disposed in single layer form, and means for discharging ice-through said forcing means onto said mass.

JOHN W. DE MARS. 

